Structure and reactivity of derivatives of dihalogenomethyl indium(III) halides, X2InCHX2 (XÂ =Â Cl, Br, I)

The reactions of indium monohalides, InX with haloforms, CHX3, in 1,4-dioxane (diox), produce the X2In(diox)nCHX2 (X = Cl, Br, n = 1; X = I, n = 2) compounds. The ionic derivative [(C2H5)4N] [Cl3InCHCl2] was prepared and its crystal structure established by X-ray means. The dihalogenomethyl derivatives react with strong electrophiles suggesting dihalogenomethyl substituents of mild nucleophilic character, while the carbon atoms in the halogenomethyl derivatives are electrophilic.